Absentee Voting Marks Start Of 2023 Elections
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By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – Absentee voting is underway for the August Primary election, marking the start of the 2023 election cycle. Voters will choose either a Republican or Democratic ballot in the August 8 primary elections.
On the Democratic ticket, District Two Supervisor Kenneth Rogers faces two opponents – John Edward Perkins and Demetrius Armstrong. If a candidate does not receive a majority of votes cast, the top two vote-getters in this race will advance to the primary runoff on August 29. The candidate who wins this race, either in the primary or primary runoff, will be unopposed in the November General Election as there are no Republican or independent candidates for this position.
The only other contested race on the Democratic ballot is for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture. Three candidates are competing for the party nomination – Robert “Brad” Bradford, Bethany Hill and Terry Rogers, II. The candidate who wins this race will be the party nominee and advance to the November General Election and face Republican incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.
On the Republican ticket, there are four contested positions – three for statewide offices and one regional race. Republican incumbent Governor Tate Reeves has two opponents – David Grady Hardigree and John Witcher. Incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann also faces two challengers – Tiffany Longino and Chris McDaniel. In the third contested statewide race on the Republican ballot, incumbent Commission of Insurance Commission Mike Chaney will face Mitch Young.
The contested regional race on the Republican ticket is for Public Service Commissioner Northern District, an open position after Democrat incumbent Brandon Presley qualified to run for governor. Chris Brown and Tanner Newman are both running for the Republican nomination for the position.
In the November 7 General Election, the winners in the Republican and Democrat primary elections will be on the ballot, along with any independent candidates.
Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney reported that a large number of independent candidates seeking local positions will likely create confusion for voters when they go to the polls for the August primary elections.
“Independent candidates are not affiliated with a political party and do not appear on the ballot in the primary elections,” Burney explained. “That means independent candidates will not be on the ballot until November.”
An example, Democratic chancery clerk candidate Terry Rockette is unopposed in the Democratic Primary Election. He is the only candidate who will be listed for this position for voters who choose a Democratic ballot. Voters who choose a Republican ballot will not see a candidate listed for chancery clerk. Rockette will automatically advance to the November general election as the Democratic nominee and face independent candidate Donald Gray. In a similar scenario, Republican sheriff candidate Roger Pollan is also unopposed in the Republican Primary Election and will advance to the November General election and face independent incumbent Jerimaine Gooch.
Although most are unopposed, the list of independent candidates in the county is lengthy. Independent candidates who will be on the ballot in November and do not have a challenger include Burney, who is the sole qualifier for circuit clerk, Coroner Ronnie Stark, District 2 Constable Randy Simmons, District 1 Justice Court Judge Janet Caulder, District 2 Justice Court Judge Trent Howell, District 1 Supervisor Cayce Washington and District 3 Supervisor Kenny Harmon.
Independent candidates seeking county positions who are opposed include the aforementioned races for sheriff and chancery clerk. In the bid for tax assessor/collector, Brad Willingham and Michael Walton are both running as independents and will appear on the November ballot. This means voters will not see a candidate listed for this on the Republican or Democratic ballots in August for tax assessor/collector. The final contested race is for District 1 Constable with incumbent Democratic candidate Ralph Horton and independent candidate J. Caleb Horton running for the position.
Absentee Voting Requirements
Registered voters are eligible to vote absentee because of age (65 or older), health or work demands, or their affiliation with the U.S. Armed Forces. For example, voters who will be outside their county of residence on election day are entitled to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be cast in the circuit clerk’s offices in the Water Valley and Coffeeville courthouses through August 5.
Yalobusha County Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney also reported that the deadline for new voters to register to vote in the election is Monday, July 10. In addition to regular business hours on weekdays, his offices will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, July 8 for voter registration. Burney also reminds voters to notify his office with address changes if you have moved. State statute requires voters to live in the precinct they vote in.
